A victorious smile appeared on Arnold's face as he heard the announcement of his current achievement.
"Awesome!" Arnold couldn't help but comment. His Strength actually took more time than his Agility to improve, however, he guessed it was normal since he had to gain three points unlike two for his Agility.
At this moment, Arnold was beginning to notice some changes in his body. He felt as if his weightlifting ability had increased, even minor objects like his smartphone which he carried often were now weighing like a piece of paper.
Arnold shrugged. "Weird."
After taking some time to rest, the system urged him to begin the Endurance improvement.
[To improve your Endurance, you have to perform some weight-holding exercises. This means carrying and holding on to the weight for a long time. I'll have to set a time for you to beat.]
"I'm ready," Arnold found this interesting. Of course, Endurance is one of the best fitness skills a wrestler needs to come out victorious in every match. This includes having to take tough finisher attacks from an opponent and still kick out or having to endure a submission move before getting to the ropes.
Max Fury was having a bad record in this aspect and really needed to improve.
[Task: Endurance Attribute Improvement.]
[You should hold on to a 40 kg weight for one minute.]
"Must be challenging but I think I can do this," Arnold spoke some words of encouragement into his head. After being able to run over twenty hurdles and come back within thirty minutes, and also climb over a doubled ladder in just five seconds, Arnold believed he could do this as well. After all, he had lifted the 40 kg weight already, so the weight-holding trial shouldn't be that difficult.
A different 40 kg weight was placed somewhere in the weightlifting section of the gym so Arnold did not need to withdraw the one from the bench.
He waited for a few minutes, inhaling and exhaling to fuel his muscles. Although the system wanted him to get this done today, it also advised Arnold to get the best rest he needed.
Arnold also didn't want to risk getting hurt. If he sustains an injury before his final exam match, then the little hope he had would all vanish like a disappearing ghost.
After a while, Arnold was set to begin the Strength Attribute Improvement training.
[The time starts... Now!]
Arnold quickly grabbed the knurling of the weight, raised it with his waist sitting in the air, heightened it to his chest while standing straight, and lifted it over his head.
*Bang!*
Arnold dropped it in an instant.
[One second... Try again.]
Arnold frowned in disappointment. It wasn't as if he threw the weight on purpose, his palms almost slipped off the knurling due to not holding tight. He needed to apply safety measures.
Arnold let out a long exhale. "Pooffff..."
Grabbing the knurling tightly this time, he applied massive pressure and lifted it.
This time, it seemed that his hold stayed much longer... Actually, after taking several Strength Attribute Improvement training sessions, it did a lot in helping him improve his Endurance. He had learned what it takes to hold on to pains and muscle exhaustion while doing the Strength training, so having to endure the overwhelming heaviness of a 40 kg weight didn't do much harm to make him drop it so quickly.
*Bang!*
[Fifty-five seconds. That's impressive, host!]
"I'm surprised too," Arnold muttered.
*Bang!*
"What's the time?"
[Fifty-seven seconds.]
*Bang*
"...?"
[Fifty-eight seconds. Try again.]
*Bang*
[Fifty-eight seconds. Let's go again.]
*Bang*
[Fifty-eight seconds. Try to hold on a little longer.]
"My arms are hurting already," Arnold had a bitter look on his face.
[You are doing well, host. Just try to...]
*Bang*
[One minute! You beat the time, host.]
Arnold fell on the floor and gasped madly, almost lying entirely as if he was passing out.
[You have gained three points to your Endurance.]
[Endurance: 5]
[Good job, host!]
[Host?]
[Host? Are you sleeping yet?]
A loud snore was heard a moment later...
Arnold was suddenly carried away as he succumbed to the feeling of exhaustion. After not spending the night to sleep, Arnold couldn't help it.
[Ah! We will continue later then. I admire your effort host.]
[You are worth taking a place in the spotlight.]
******
When Arnold woke up, it was already getting late.
"6:30 pm. I should begin the Attack Power training now."
He only had a single point to his Attack Power at the moment and needed four more points to make it five, totally reaching his goal of 20 overall attribute points to gain his first skill.
[Just as Strength works with Endurance, Attack Power works with Agility.]
[Attack Power simply refers to your ability to deliver brutal attacks that can be capable of causing great harm. If you can apply the power of your improved Agility, improving your Attack Power shouldn't be very difficult.]
The system explained.
"So, how can I get started," Arnold asked. After taking two hours and thirty minutes to sleep, his exhaustion seemed to have decreased a little.
[Get a punching bag. You should launch several blows on it and I will analyze the rate of damage caused.]
[The rate of the damage would be calculated from 1 to 10. If you can cause a 10-rated damage, this could earn you three to four points to your Attack Power.]
Arnold smiled. "Sure."
[The time starts... Now.]
After getting a punching bag and hanging it somewhere in the ceiling, Arnold began to punch.
*Boom*
His punching speed was enhanced after his Agility improvement training, and Arnold could notice it. It was as if his forelimbs had gained some flexibility, making it quite easy for him to launch fast punches. If he was a boxer, his opponent might not even block his punches quickly due to his improved agility and flexibility.
His strength also played a part in this. With his advanced strength, Arnold managed to launch powerful blows on the punching bag, causing it to vibrate.
With repeated trials, Arnold found himself improving in this aspect. He felt his fists become tougher as he kept punching, the thick punching bag started to feel like wool.
*Boom*
[10! Punching pressure requirement beaten.]
[You have gained four points to your Attack Power.]
[Attack Power: 5]
[You have gained 20 overall attribute points!]
[Congratulations, host! You have obtained your first Skill.]
[Skill Level (Intelligence) has improved by 4 points.]
[The system is checking new Skill...]
[New Skill checked.]
[Skill: Neckbuster (S-class).]
[Skill Type: Finisher.]
[Host, do you want to inspect the Skill?]
Arnold had his eyes widened in astonishment staring at the system's display. Surprisingly, he just gained the Skill the system had promised. Not only did he gain the Skill, but his Intelligence which didn't seem to be among the attributes also increased, and more shockingly, he gained an S-class Finisher!
"Why not?" With a grin, Arnold Gallagher accepted to inspect his Skill.